Light-emitting devices providing asymmetrical propagation of light

Abstract

A variety of light-emitting devices for general illumination utilizing solid state light sources (e.g., light emitting diodes) are disclosed. In general, the devices include a scattering element in combination with an extractor element. The scattering element, which may include elastic and/or inelastic scattering centers, is spaced apart from the light source element. Opposite sides of the scattering element have asymmetric optical interfaces, there being a larger refractive index mismatch at the interface facing the light emitting element than the interface between the scattering element and the extractor element. Such a structure favors forward scattering of light from the scattering element. In other words, the system favors scattering out of the scattering element into the extractor element over backscattering light towards the light source element. The extractor element, in turn, is sized and shaped to reduce reflection of light exiting the light-emitting device at the devices interface with the ambient environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A light-emitting device, comprising:
 one or more light-emitting elements configured to emit light during operation; 
 a first optical element having a first surface spaced apart from the one or more light-emitting elements and positioned to receive light from the one or more light-emitting elements, the first optical element comprising scattering centers arranged to scatter the received light and to provide scattered light; and 
 a second optical element formed from a transparent material having an exit surface, the second optical element being in contact with the first optical element, there being an optical interface between the first and second optical elements at the place of contact, the optical interface being opposite the first surface of the first optical element, the second optical element being arranged to receive at least a portion of the scattered light through the optical interface; wherein: 
 the device comprises a medium adjacent the first surface of the first optical element having a refractive index n 0 , and the first optical element comprises a material having a first refractive index n 1 , where n 0 <n 1 ; 
 the transparent material has a refractive index n 2 , where n 0 <n 2 ; 
 the exit surface being a transparent surface that is shaped such that an angle of incidence on the exit surface of the at least a portion of the scattered light received through the optical interface that directly impinges on the exit surface is less than the Brewster angle; and 
 the light-emitting device outputs light through the exit surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first optical element is a shell that defines an enclosure into which light from the one or more light-emitting elements is emitted, wherein the shell is shaped such that at least some light from the first surface directly propagates through the enclosure to the first surface. 
     
     
       3. The light-emitting device of  claim 2 , wherein the shell has an ellipsoidal shape. 
     
     
       4. The light-emitting device of  claim 3 , wherein the ellipsoidal shape is prolate or oblate. 
     
     
       5. The light-emitting device of  claim 4 , wherein the ellipsoidal shape is triaxial. 
     
     
       6. The light-emitting device of  claim 2 , wherein the shell has one or more openings configured to receive the one or more light-emitting elements. 
     
     
       7. The light-emitting device of  claim 6 , further comprising one or more reflectors arranged within the one or more openings, the one or more reflectors having one or more reflective surfaces facing the enclosure and being configured to enclose the enclosure. 
     
     
       8. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reflector having a reflective surface, the reflective surface and the first surface together defining an enclosure into which all light from the one or more light-emitting elements is emitted. 
     
     
       9. The light-emitting device of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective surface is planar. 
     
     
       10. The light-emitting device of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective surface is convex with respect to the enclosure. 
     
     
       11. The light-emitting device of  claim 8 , wherein the first surface is planar. 
     
     
       12. The light-emitting device of  claim 8 , wherein the first surface is convex with respect to the enclosure. 
     
     
       13. The light-emitting device of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective surface comprises specular reflective portions. 
     
     
       14. The light-emitting device of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective surface comprises diffuse reflective portions. 
     
     
       15. The light-emitting device of  claim 8 , wherein the reflective surface is configured to direct light from the one or more light-emitting elements towards the first surface. 
     
     
       16. The light-emitting device of  claim 1  further comprising a third element formed from a transparent material positioned between the one or more light-emitting elements and the first surface to receive light from the one or more light-emitting elements and provide light to the first surface. 
     
     
       17. The light-emitting device of  claim 16 , wherein the third element is separated from the first surface by a gap. 
     
     
       18. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the second optical element comprises a first portion and a light guide, the first portion having the exit surface and being arranged to receive a first portion of the scattered light from the optical interface, and the light guide being arranged to receive a second portion of the scattered light from the optical interface and having a guiding surface configured to guide the received second portion of the scattered light away from the optical interface by reflecting at least some of the received second portion of the scattered light. 
     
     
       19. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the exit surface comprises a first exit surface and a second exit surface, the first and second exit surfaces being at least partially transparent, and a step arranged between the first and second exit surfaces. 
     
     
       20. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first optical element has a substantially uniform effective thickness. 
     
     
       21. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein n 1 ≈n 2 . 
     
     
       22. The light-emitting device of  claim 21 , wherein n 0 ≈1. 
     
     
       23. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein an axis of symmetry of the first optical element and an axis of symmetry of the second optical element are collinear. 
     
     
       24. The light-emitting device of  claim 23 , wherein the one or more light-emitting elements are positioned symmetrically about the axis of symmetry of the first optical element. 
     
     
       25. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second optical elements uniformly extend along an axis. 
     
     
       26. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the exit surface is a spherical or cylindrical surface. 
     
     
       27. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the medium is a gas. 
     
     
       28. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitted by the one or more light-emitting elements comprises blue light or ultraviolet light. 
     
     
       29. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the scattering centers comprise inelastic scattering centers configured to convert at least some light received from the one or more light-emitting elements to converted light having a longer wavelength. 
     
     
       30. The light-emitting device of  claim 29 , wherein the converted light is yellow light. 
     
     
       31. The light-emitting device of  claim 29 , wherein the inelastic scattering centers comprise a quantum dot phosphor. 
     
     
       32. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein different light-emitting elements emit light of different colors. 
     
     
       33. The light-emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the scattering centers comprise elastic scattering centers.